Let's Talk About Acne & Having 'Problem Skin'
Unpacking the language that comes with western beauty standards and the search for clear skin….
Photography: Sophie Harris-Taylor
It’s likely that at one stage or another, many of us will suffer with acne, or ‘problem’ skin. Whilst for some this phase is temporary, the impact it can have is long-lasting when it comes to self-esteem and the confidence to go out make-up free. So whether it’s the scars of acne past (Christmas Carol vibes), redness and uneven skin tone, or cystic acne itself that are currently occupying the relationship with your skin, we’re here to unpack the language used around troublesome skin, and provide some tips that might help you embrace your complexion for what it is…
So first. The term ‘problem’ skin. Whilst this somewhat harmless language is used very generally as a description for complexions that aren’t looking their clearest, the negative connotations that come to mind when referring to part of ourselves as a ‘problem’ fuels a much deeper narrative about western beauty standards. One common thread within such beauty expectations is their unrealistic nature, focusing on the profit that can be made through the long and tiresome journey that (primarily) women go through in the search of ‘perfect’, blemish-free skin. And whilst acne can be painful, sore and generally time consuming to manage, there really is nothing ‘unbeautiful’ about skin in its natural state, whatever that may be. Acne isn’t a breeze to live with, but it’s important to establish that clear skin is no more beautiful than blemished.
And whilst the internet can be a breeding ground for insecurities surrounding skin clarity, it’s also the home to a wonderful selection of diverse accounts showcasing beauty in all its forms, in particular, the #skinpositive movement. Whilst the beauty world traditionally shunned spots, social media has allowed for a greater visibility than ever of skin types and conditions similar to your own. Instagram showcases thousands of posts under hashtags such as #AcnePositive, #AcneCommunity, #AcneAwarenessMonth and #AcneTips!
And whilst it’s easy to preach positivity and acceptance, the realities of living with acne can be mentally and emotionally draining. Whether you’re dealing with adult acne and feel ‘too old’ to be struggling with your skin, or are battling spots through puberty or the menopause, there’s never a good time to feel your confidence take a hit every time a new spot makes an appearance. If you’ve struggled to keep acne at bay for a while, you might find comfort in some of these commonly shared ‘spot solutions’ that are bound to have flooded your way every time skincare becomes the topic of conversation: “Have you tried double cleansing?”, “Maybe if you drank some more water?”, “Make sure to wash your pillow cases”, “I stopped using skincare and just wash with water”. *SCREAMS INTO EXISTENCE* It’s fair to say the unsolicited advice that comes with acne is another annoyance to add to the list. So many of these tips are said with the best intentions, but these common ‘acne cures’ can get a little old very quickly!
So whilst acne and troublesome skin are a tiring, expensive and sometimes painful experience, I hope that curating a skin positive feed from the hashtags above, and through attempting to switch your mindset to see spots as a natural and normal process that almost everybody goes through, you’ll feel a sense of acceptance and not annoyance at your skin doing its thang. We all want to feel as confident in our own skin (excuse the pun) as possible, and I hope you find that happy place soon, whatever that looks like for your personal complexion.
The images shown in this post are part of an incredibly beautiful and honest look at skin conditions in their many forms, shot and curated by photographer Sophie Harris-Taylor. The series in its entirety included photographing 20 bare faced women across the UK, showcasing the beauty and empowerment that can come from celebrating skin in its natural state, and tearing down the standards we so often see in commercial beauty imagery. The series titled ‘Epidermis’ is exhibiting at the Printspace Gallery (74 Kingsland Road, London, E2 8DL) from the 6th-13th September 2019 if you’d like to support Sophie’s work and see her imagery IRL!